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OUR VIEW: Eight years is too long

Published: Monday, November 12, 2012 at 7:07 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, November 12, 2012 at 7:07 p.m.

Gadsden Councilman Billy Harris’ almost plaintive observation that he doesn’t think he’ll live to see Interstate 759 joined to Meighan Boulevard isn’t just a politician’s exaggeration. It looks like cold reality.

Officials with the Alabama Department of Transportation were in Gadsden last week to update members of the Gadsden-Etowah Metropolitan Planning Organization on local highway projects.

Harris zeroed in on one, the I-759 extension that would impact his district, expressing his and his constituents’ frustration on the lack of movement.

First, there’s no money available for the project, which will cost about $100 million. There’s no telling when or if that will change, so all this could be pointless discussion.

Still, it’s been eight years since four potential routes for the extension were presented at a public meeting. One of those routes has the support of the city, the residents who will be affected and ALDOT. So it’s realistic to think that plan has been drawn up and is in a folder in a file cabinet somewhere, just waiting for the money to proceed, right?

Wrong.

The Federal Highway Administration won’t sign off on any of the proposals. Instead, it’s asked ALDOT to try to find alternatives that will have less of an impact on the neighborhoods that lie between I-759 and Meighan, on the area’s historic districts in particular and on “the community in general.”

It might as well ask the department to successfully practice alchemy and turn lead into gold, because there’s no realistic way for such a massive project to be done with minimal impact.

The four proposed routes would affect between 71 and 104 residences and up to four businesses, according to environmental impact studies. It’s hard to see how this extension could be done with any less mess — and we’ll reiterate, the community is on board with one of these proposals.

However, those folks also are living their lives with the potential of being uprooted hanging over their heads. They’ll be compensated if the extension ever happens, but the uncertainty is happening now, with no signs of easing.

It’s hard to see how anyone could argue this project isn’t needed. The traffic on Meighan Boulevard, both local and passing through (Meighan also is U.S. Highway 431/278, a major route through Alabama), at the busiest times of day should be enough proof for the most skeptical jury. It’s going to get worse when Blackwater Resources’ development at the River Trace Golf Course property opens. The pressure on that roadway needs to be relieved.

Not having enough money to move forward is one thing. Making city and state officials jump through unfair and unrealistic hoops is another.

The FHWA needs to come up with better reasons for refusing to listen to those closest to this situation, and ignoring what’s been on the table and gathering mold for eight years. And if it simply doesn’t want this project to happen, it should have the guts to say so.

<p>Gadsden Councilman Billy Harris' almost plaintive observation that he doesn't think he'll live to see Interstate 759 joined to Meighan Boulevard isn't just a politician's exaggeration. It looks like cold reality.</p><p>Officials with the Alabama Department of Transportation were in Gadsden last week to update members of the Gadsden-Etowah Metropolitan Planning Organization on local highway projects.</p><p>Harris zeroed in on one, the I-759 extension that would impact his district, expressing his and his constituents' frustration on the lack of movement.</p><p>First, there's no money available for the project, which will cost about $100 million. There's no telling when or if that will change, so all this could be pointless discussion.</p><p>Still, it's been eight years since four potential routes for the extension were presented at a public meeting. One of those routes has the support of the city, the residents who will be affected and ALDOT. So it's realistic to think that plan has been drawn up and is in a folder in a file cabinet somewhere, just waiting for the money to proceed, right?</p><p>Wrong.</p><p>The Federal Highway Administration won't sign off on any of the proposals. Instead, it's asked ALDOT to try to find alternatives that will have less of an impact on the neighborhoods that lie between I-759 and Meighan, on the area's historic districts in particular and on “the community in general.”</p><p>It might as well ask the department to successfully practice alchemy and turn lead into gold, because there's no realistic way for such a massive project to be done with minimal impact.</p><p>The four proposed routes would affect between 71 and 104 residences and up to four businesses, according to environmental impact studies. It's hard to see how this extension could be done with any less mess — and we'll reiterate, the community is on board with one of these proposals.</p><p>However, those folks also are living their lives with the potential of being uprooted hanging over their heads. They'll be compensated if the extension ever happens, but the uncertainty is happening now, with no signs of easing.</p><p>It's hard to see how anyone could argue this project isn't needed. The traffic on Meighan Boulevard, both local and passing through (Meighan also is U.S. Highway 431/278, a major route through Alabama), at the busiest times of day should be enough proof for the most skeptical jury. It's going to get worse when Blackwater Resources' development at the River Trace Golf Course property opens. The pressure on that roadway needs to be relieved.</p><p>Not having enough money to move forward is one thing. Making city and state officials jump through unfair and unrealistic hoops is another.</p><p>The FHWA needs to come up with better reasons for refusing to listen to those closest to this situation, and ignoring what's been on the table and gathering mold for eight years. And if it simply doesn't want this project to happen, it should have the guts to say so.</p>